Mass. man pleads guilty to scamming US government in Afghan prison guard uniform program

A Massachusetts man has pleaded guilty to his role in the creation of a fictitious uniform manufacturing company that did business in Afghanistan and defrauded the U.S. government of as much as $200,000.

Dimitry Jean-Noel, of Worcester, pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to defraud the government.

The Telegram & Gazette (http://bit.ly/1z1Js8T ) reports that the 42-year-old Jean-Noel reached a plea agreement in October regarding his involvement in the scheme, which prosecutors said took place in 2008 and 2009.

Authorities say Jean-Noel, who worked for a government contractor, and co-conspirators created the fictitious company to supply Afghan prison guard uniforms, but simply bought uniforms from other companies, then overbilled the U.S. government, for example, billing for 100 uniforms when they delivered 50.

Jean-Noel is scheduled for sentencing May 27.

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Information from: Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, Mass.), http://www.telegram.com